Wealth and Power are
the hallmarks of success and prosperity; the so-called “American Dream,”
that the primary aspiration that our western culture
teaches. Of course, Americans are far from alone in this dream. If we are among
those who declare themselves as believers in God, we may also want to believe
that once those material goals are achieved, then we will work on the details
of faith, hope, and charity. What if we slip into working overly diligently on
material goals, will our faith goals slip by the wayside as well?
Martin
Luther referred to Mammon, the ancient name for material gains though greed, as
"the most common god on earth." Of course, there is a serious
distinction between those who would be greedy or dishonestly wealthy, and those
who would use their wealth to honestly and faithfully prosper others. Most of
us are at least a little bit guilty of wanting and pursuing “more.” Few of us
haven't played a game of chance or bought a lottery ticket at least once and
fantasized about all we would be able to have and to do if we won. Yet formal
studies say that nearly 70% of those who win extraordinary payoffs are bankrupt
within 7 years. Too much of a good thing, or a bad thing? Perhaps merely a case
of discovering that having all that we want still isn't enough. For some,
the desperate seeking of greater material wealth and power becomes
an unwitting addiction, driving them into a downward spiral of
self-destruction and relational ruin, for themselves and when coupled with great
power, devastation for untold numbers.
Self-examination is key when Jesus calls us to account on how faithful and
honest we are in little and big matters. What is our true
intent? Is a little lottery dreaming sinful? Hardly, unless it takes up too
many waking minutes, too much necessary income to meet daily needs, and/or
harms oneself or another. The writer of the letter of Timothy tells us
that leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
dignity is right and acceptable in the sight of God. Whether
or not that seems realistic in these combative, angry, and violent times isn't
the point. Life is difficult, far worse for some than others given wars, political
threats, natural disasters, or life-threatening illness. Yet serving wealth on
behalf of ourselves isn't the path to inner peace, godliness, or dignity of the
soul. Even if it may give a temporary glow on the surface, some who fear the
potential loss of well- or ill-gotten- gains can become dangerous and may
reject, or never know, the little discomforting niggle of conscience.
Jesus is
never clearer, than in this Gospel. We cannot serve two masters; we cannot
serve God and wealth. If we seek only the accumulation of more
material possessions to the exclusion of, and in harming the welfare of, others, if
only in very small ways, we may prosper in this life, but we will lose in the
next. Even a little dishonesty becomes much more so in God’s sight. The prophet
Amos gives us God's words: I will never forget any of their deeds. Yet
the Good News is always present when Jesus teaches. However imperfect we are,
if we are intentional about serving God even with a meager amount of faith, God
will never forget that either. It is never too late to return to serving God who
desires everyone to be saved. As Jesus says, Whoever is faithful in
a very little is faithful also in much. Let us examine our own intentions
and be clear to ourselves what it is we truly want; for, if we cannot be honest
with ourselves who will trust us with the true riches of eternal life?
Let us turn our soul’s path to an upward spiral, intentionally choosing to seek
and to serve only God and God’s people, ready for the most basic accounting in
the finale of this mortal life. Let us do so eagerly, and, in Faith, for the
love of God in Christ.
LET
US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O Lord Most High, open
our hearts to make supplications and prayers for everyone, open our
minds to come to the knowledge of Your truth, and open the eyes of our souls to
be and to do only what is right and acceptable in Your sight.
O God, our Savior
RESPONSE: Our true wealth
is serving You
~
O Lord Most High, on behalf of us all who wish for a peaceable life
in all godliness and dignity, we offer intercessions for those in high
positions as leaders on this Planet, in this Nation, and in our Community. May
they intentionally govern with integrity, with honor, and without deceit. We
pray especially for: add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~
O Lord Most High, calm the fears and anxiety of all who suffer in
pain of body, mind, or soul, and strengthen all who give them care. We now join
our hearts to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~
O Lord Most High, dry the tears of the grieving, as the glory of the
heavens welcomes all who are now transformed into eternal life and joy. We pray
especially for… add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~
O Lord Most High, we pause in this moment to offer
You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials,
aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
~
O Lord Most High, we praise Your Name with thanksgiving for the special
gifts of all who have been chosen, anointed, and faithfully devoted in their
lives and ministries among us. We pray especially for: add your own
petitions
O God, our Savior
Our true wealth is serving You
The
Celebrant adds: Holy God, the Glory above the heavens, by Your
divine love we were created with the truest form of riches available in our
mortal time. Infuse us with desire to serve only You, that even our little
faith will become greater and offer a blameless accounting at this life’s end.
We ask through Jesus, our Holy Mediator; and the Holy Spirit, the Divine Breath
in our Souls; who together with You are One God, forever and always. Amen.
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